The Stansted 15 were acting to uphold justice, not to contravene it. The state must not be able to use sweeping powers granted for the so-called fight against international terrorism to aid its agenda elsewhere.

Without any alternatives, living on just over £5 a day puts people in poverty, where they are unable to support themselves and are forced to use food banks. The Lift the Bancampaign estimates an economic gain of £42.4million as a result of additional tax revenues and savings, if those seeking asylum are allowed to work.